Methods
Mudjacking: Slab Lifting With a Cement-Based Slurry
Mudjacking — also called slabjacking — is the long-established way to raise settled concrete: pump a cement-based slurry beneath the slab to fill the void and lift it. It remains a sensible option on plenty of residential projects.
The process
Holes are drilled through the settled slab and a slurry — typically a mix of cement with sand and/or soil — is pumped underneath. The slurry fills the void first, then pressure from continued pumping raises the slab. Injection points are worked in sequence so the lift stays controlled rather than concentrated in one spot.
The holes are larger than polyurethane ports and are patched at the end. The slurry needs time to cure, so return-to-service timing is a question for the provider.
Typical applications
Driveway panels
Sidewalks and walkways
Patios
Steps and stoops
Larger open slabs
Void filling
Weight, injection points and what they imply
Material weight
A cement-based slurry is heavier than cured polyurethane. Where the ground beneath the slab is weak or the slab is over questionable fill, that added weight is a real engineering consideration and part of why a provider might steer you toward a different method. It is also why a blanket "mudjacking is fine everywhere" claim is not something we will make.
Injection points
Larger holes, usually more visible after patching, and typically fewer of them than a polyurethane pattern. Ask where they will be placed on any slab where appearance matters — a front walkway, for instance.
Cure time
Slurry needs to cure. Plan for the possibility that the surface is not immediately back in full service, and get the timing in writing if you depend on the driveway daily.
Cost considerations
Mudjacking is generally reported at a lower per-square-foot cost than polyurethane lifting in national consumer data. For local planning, one current consumer dataset reports $4.50 – $7.50 per square foot for mudjacking projects reported for the Indianapolis area, an average project of about $1,240, and a typical range of roughly $669 – $1,811. Those are budgeting benchmarks from one dataset, not contractor quotes, and plenty of projects fall outside them. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Established, well-understood method
- Generally lower material cost per square foot
- Effective for filling larger voids with bulk material
- Practical on many straightforward residential slabs
Limitations
- Heavier fill material than cured polyurethane
- Larger, more visible patched holes
- Cure time before full service
- Slurry does not reach every narrow void the way foam can
- No help for fragmented concrete or an unresolved water problem
How it compares with polyjacking
The honest summary: mudjacking usually costs less per square foot and uses a heavier material through larger holes; polyurethane costs more, weighs less and sets faster. Which is appropriate depends on the slab, the void, the ground beneath and access — not on which method a website prefers. The full comparison table lays the differences out row by row.
Homeowner questions
Is mudjacking outdated?
No. It is older than polyurethane injection, which is a different statement. It remains in active use and is often the lower-cost route on suitable slabs.
Are the holes noticeable afterwards?
They are larger than polyurethane ports and are patched. Expect them to be visible on close inspection; ask about placement if the surface is prominent.
Which is better for my driveway apron?
That depends on the void, the ground beneath the apron and how quickly you need to drive on it. Requesting quotes that state the proposed method and reasoning is the practical way to settle it.
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